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WELCOME TO

A BEACON FOR HOPE

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ABOUT EL CENTRO

OUR STORY

The vision for El Centro started one day in a village on a mountain outside Guatemala City. I was doing some missions work there when I met a boy sitting on the stoop outside his house. I greeted him and asked him what he was doing and he said he wasn’t doing anything. I then proceeded to ask him if he was waiting for someone, something or anything that would warrant him sitting there by himself doing absolutely nothing. He responded that he simply wasn’t doing anything. I went my way only to come back the same way 3 hours later to find the same young man on the same spot, still doing nothing.


That sparked a lot of feelings and emotions inside me, the greatest of which was the drive to do something about it. And so the dream was born; but it had no name. It wasn’t until a few years after that event that El Centro became a reality. We wanted to create a space where young people could spend their time, find shelter from their struggles and just experience a different reality; and that is where we are today.


We are located in Zone 6 of Guatemala City, which is considered a red zone, meaning it is particularly dangerous due to extreme poverty, violence and gang related activity. Our youth come from very dark and difficult backgrounds. This makes life very harsh, and makes hope even harder to perceive. We do our best to help them by first introducing them to the source of all hope and fullness. Secondarily, we do our best to enrich their lives through education, counseling and training in different useful skills.


El Centro means The Center, and we got the name from Colossians 1:17 which explains that all things hold together in Christ, and that, for us, means the core of everything we do and are, should be JESUS CHRIST. We try to instill that truth in everything we do here and HOPE that everyone that has the privilege of coming through here experiences that to the fullest.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To introduce all young people to a reality different from the norm; a reality that allows them to see pain, sorrow, poverty, difficulty and other struggles as obstacles meant to be overcome; a reality that places Jesus Christ in the center of every aspect of their lives, giving them joy, peace and hope for a future much brighter than they could ever imagine.

OUR MINISTRIES

  • Weekly Devotionals

  • Academic Sponsorship

  • Tutoring

  • English classes

  • Counseling

  • Trauma Therapy

  • Psychological evaluations

  • Emotional Accompaniment

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WHERE YOU COME IN

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SPONSOR A STUDENT

One Student= $25/month

Sponsoring a child ensures that they are financially supported, providing them with basic daily needs. These $25 will go towards:

  • Tuition

  • Daily snack

  • Utility expenses

  • Miscellaneous school needs

SPONSOR ENGLISH CLASSES

One Student= $50/month

Giving a student the chance to learn english will not only provide them with further education and life skills, but will also give them desirable employment skills, helping them to secure a job in their future.

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SPONSOR EL CENTRO

Help provide for our monthly expenses

El Centro has been able to operate out of zone 6 in Guatemala City, offering a safe haven for students who are seeking safety and a deeper relationship with the lord. It is kind contributions that have allowed us to continue taking students in. In order to keep our doors open we are paying $670/month in rent. We are currently looking for sponsors who are willing to contribute to helping us operate month after month. Any contributions are greatly appreciated!

PRAYER

Our strongest tool.

Above all, we ask that you support us in your prayers. Pray for the ministry, the students, and for the hearts we are trying to reach with the love of Jesus Christ. Pray that Gods word is able to be a beacon for those in Guatemala who are wondering in the dark, guiding them towards redemption and the hope for a brighter future.

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WHERE WE ARE LOCATED

15 Callle B Zona 6
Guatemala City, Guatemala 01010

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CONTACT US

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"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:17

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